Plot Synopsis

Farm Aid is the longest running benefit concert series in the United States, raising money for family farmers. Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp organized the first Farm Aid concert -- held on September 22, 1985 at University of Illinois' Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois before a crowd of 80,000 people -- which raised over $9 million and featured performances by Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, B.B. King, Loretta Lynn, Roy Orbison, Tom Petty and many more artists. The Nashville Network televised the entire concert live, while 156 television stations also broadcast a live three-hour, primetime segment. Farm Aid II was held on July 4, 1986 at Manor Downs -- a race track 12 miles outside of Austin, Texas -- with performances by Alabama, Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Beach Boys, X, Rick James, and more. The entire 1986 concert was televised live on VH1, with select portions of some rock groups shown on MTV. Since then, this benefit concert has been held almost annually in various cities and at multiple venues across America, except in 1988 (no concert), 1989 (US tour in 16 cities), and 1991 (no concert).

On Saturday, September 13, 2014 from 7-11:30pm ET/4-8:30pm PT, AXS TV broadcast FARM AID 2014 live from Walnut Creek Amphitheatre in Raleigh, NC, featuring music from Willie Nelson & Family, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds, Jack White, Gary Clark Jr., Jamey Johnson, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Delta Rae, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Carlene Carter, Todd Snider, Insects vs Robots, Raelyn Nelson Band, Jesse Lenat, and more. As of 2014, Farm Aid had raised more than $45 million to help family farmers all over the country, while inspiring people to learn about the Good Food movement.

On Saturday, September 16, 2017 from 7pm-Midnight ET/4-9pm PT, AXS TV broadcast FARM AID 2017 live from Burgettstown, PA, featuring music from Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds, Sheryl Crow, Jack Johnson, The Avett Brothers, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Blackberry Smoke, Margo Price, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Jamey Johnson, Valerie June, Insects vs. Robots, and Blackwood Quartet. This marks the fourth consecutive year that AXS TV airs Farm Aid, and the second time airing it live. The concert is also streamed live at farmaid.org starting at 3pm ET/Noon PT.

On Saturday, September 22, 2018 from 7pm-Midnight ET/4-9pm PT, AXS TV broadcast FARM AID 2018 live from Hartford, CT, featuring music from founder Willie Nelson; fellow board members John Mellencamp, Neil Young, and Dave Matthews (performing with Tim Reynolds); as well as favorites such as Chris Stapleton, Sturgill Simpson, Kacey Musgraves, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Margo Price and Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real, among many others. All of the artists donate their performances in support of family farmers. In addition to its live telecast on AXS TV, the FARM AID 2018 festival streams live in HD at farmaid.org from 3-11pm ET and broadcasts live on Willie Nelson's SiriusXM channel (59), Willie's Roadhouse, beginning at Noon ET. SiriusXM's Dallas Wayne hosts backstage interview and behind-the-scence coverage. Plus, fans can download the FARM AID 2018 app for iPhone and Android, allowing users to build their own schedule for the day, preview new music from the performing artists, and see the hands-on activities in the Homegrown Village.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Willie Nelson and his sons Lukas and Micah hosted a special event, "At Home with Farm Aid," that featured live performances by Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews in a virtual show of support and solidarity for family farmers and ranchers. The event was available as a free webcast stream on farmaid.org and axs.tv and also available to watch on AXS TV on Saturday, April 11, 2020 at 8pm ET/5pm PT.

FARM AID celebrates its 35th anniversary with a three-hour virtual at-home broadcast, FARM AID 2020 ON THE ROAD, on Saturday, September 26, 2020 from 8-11pm ET/5-8pm PT on AXS TV. In addition to Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, and Dave Matthews, performances also include Black Pumas, Bonnie Raitt and Boz Scaggs. Other featured performers are Brandi Carlile, Chris Stapleton, Jack Johnson, Jamey Johnson, Jon Batiste, Kelsey Waldon, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Margo Price, Nathaniel Rateliff, Particle Kid, Edie Brickell, and many more.

In 2021, the FARM AID broadcast moved to Circle Network, beginning at 8pm ET/5pm PT on Saturday, September 25, 2021. FARM AID 2021 features performances by Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews (with Tim Reynolds), and Margo Price, as well as Sturgill Simpson, Tyler Childers, Nathaniel Rateliff and The Night Sweats, Bettye LaVette, Jamey Johnson, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Allison Russell, Particle Kid, Ian Mellencamp and Wisdom Indian Dancers.
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FARM AID 2022 debuted on Saturday, September 24, 2022, with a telecast beginning at 8pm ET/5pm PT on Circle Network. The show, hosted by Natalie Stovall, will feature live and pre-recorded segments from Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek in Raleigh, North Carolina. This marks the second consecutive year that Circle brings the annual Farm Aid festival to a television audience. The sold-out event features performances by Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson & Family, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds, and Margo Price. This year, they are also welcoming performances by Chris Stapleton, Sheryl Crow, Lukas Nelson, Nathaniel Rateliff and The Night Sweats, Allison Russell, Charley Crockett, Brittney Spencer, and Particle Kid.